Phase separation device

Abstract

A phase separation device has a device housing (2) accommodating at least one coalescer element (42). The device housing (2) has an inlet (38) for the supply of an emulsion, which flows through the respective coalescer element (42) for separation into at least two of its constituents, has an outlet (46) for a separated constituent, and has a further outlet (22, 64) for a further separated constituent having a lower density than the one constituent and floating on the separated constituent having a higher density.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A phase separation device, comprising:
 a first housing with a coalescer element in the first housing, the first housing having an emulsion inlet supplying an emulsion flowing through the coalescer element separating the emulsion into at least first and second constituents, having a first outlet for the first constituent and having a second outlet for the second constituent having a lower density than and floating on the first constituent in the first housing, thereby providing a coalescence separator and a gravity separator in the first housing; 
 a second housing with a particle filter in the second housing, the second housing having a filtrate outlet connected upstream and in fluid communication with the emulsion inlet of the first housing, the first and second housings having equal heights and widths; 
 the second housing having a fluid inlet in downstream fluid communication only with an unfiltrate side of the particle filter inside the first housing; 
 the filtrate outlet being in downstream fluid communication only with the emulsion inlet; 
 the emulsion inlet being in downstream fluid communication only with the coalescer element; and 
 the coalescer element being in downstream fluid communication only with the first and second outlets; 
 whereby the fluid flows in series from the fluid inlet through the particle filter to the filtrate outlet, from the filtrate outlet to the emulsion inlet and through the coalescer element and from the coalescer element to the first and second outlets. 
 
     
     
       2. A phase separation device according to  claim 1  wherein
 the emulsion inlet opens in fluid communication directly into an interior chamber of the coalescer element for flow of the emulsion from an inside to an outside of the coalescer element. 
 
     
     
       3. A phase separation device according to  claim 1  wherein
 the first housing is elongated in a vertical installation direction having the emulsion inlet and the first outlet on a foot side of the first housing and having the second outlet on a head side of the first housing. 
 
     
     
       4. A phase separation device according to  claim 3  wherein
 the emulsion inlet and the first outlet are in a lower third of the first housing; and 
 the second outlet is in an upper third of the first housing. 
 
     
     
       5. A phase separation device according to  claim 4  wherein
 the second outlet is in an uppermost position on the first housing. 
 
     
     
       6. A phase separation device according to  claim 3  wherein
 the first housing comprise a multipart housing sleeve. 
 
     
     
       7. A phase separation device according to  claim 1  wherein
 the first outlet is located below an entry into the coalescer element immediately downstream of the emulsion inlet in a vertical direction of the first housing. 
 
     
     
       8. A phase separation device according to  claim 1  wherein
 the first housing has a receiving volume therein for the second constituent greater than a receiving volume for the first constituent. 
 
     
     
       9. A phase separation device according to  claim 8  wherein
 the receiving volume for the second constituent is at least 1.5 times greater than the receiving volume for the first constituent. 
 
     
     
       10. A phase separation device according to  claim 1  wherein
 the second outlet is at least one of part of a valve or provided with a venting device. 
 
     
     
       11. A phase separation device according to  claim 1  wherein
 the coalescer element comprises a filtration stage as a component thereof. 
 
     
     
       12. A phase separation device according to  claim 1  wherein
 a supporting sleeve is on an outer circumference of the coalescer element and fosters drop growth of the second constituent by adsorption. 
 
     
     
       13. A phase separation device according to  claim 12  wherein
 said supporting sleeve is fluid permeable and comprises two sleeve parts pivotally connected by a hinge permitting the two sleeve parts to be moved to an unfolded position allowing replacement of the coalescer element. 
 
     
     
       14. A phase separation device according to  claim 1  wherein
 the second housing has a fluid inlet in direct fluid communication with an unfiltrate chamber outside of the particle filter with the filtrate outlet being in direct fluid communication with an interior of the particle filter such that fluid flows from the outside to the inside of the particle filter. 
 
     
     
       15. A phase separation device according to  claim 1  wherein
 the emulsion is a water-oil mixture with the first constituent being water and the second constituent being oil. 
 
     
     
       16. A phase separation device according to  claim 1  wherein
 a feed pump is connected in fluid communication to a tank outlet of a storage tank and to a filtrate inlet of the second housing; and 
 the second outlet is connected in fluid communication to the storage tank. 
 
     
     
       17. A phase separation device according to  claim 1  wherein
 the first and second housings a same outer configuration. 
 
     
     
       18. A phase separation device, comprising:
 a first housing with a coalescer element in the first housing, the first housing having an emulsion inlet supplying an emulsion flowing through the coalescer element separating the emulsion into at least first and second constituents, having a first outlet for the first constituent and having a second outlet for the second constituent having a lower density than and floating on the first constituent in the first housing, thereby providing a coalescence separator and a gravity separator in the first housing; 
 a second housing with a particle filter in the second housing, the second housing having a filtrate outlet connected upstream and in fluid communication with the emulsion inlet of the first housing; 
 the second housing having a fluid inlet in downstream fluid communication only with an unfiltrate side of the particle filter inside the first housing; 
 the filtrate outlet being in downstream fluid communication only with the emulsion inlet; 
 the emulsion inlet being in downstream fluid communication only with the coalescer element; and 
 the coalescer element being in downstream fluid communication only with the first and second outlets; 
 whereby the fluid flows in series from the fluid inlet through the particle filter to the filtrate outlet, from the filtrate outlet to the emulsion inlet and through the coalescer element and from the coalescer element to the first and second outlets.